2024 marks a significant occasion for PPL as we celebrate our 90th anniversary. Since our founding in 1934, PPL has undergone a steady evolution, adapting and growing with the times. Join us as we reflect on 90 years of history, celebrate key milestones, and look forward to an exciting future. Explore the journey of PPL, from its humble beginnings to playing a vital role in the music industry.
Having inherited a completely reconstructed PPL under Fran Nevrkla OBE, Peter Leathem OBE has taken the organisation to even greater heights in his 12 years as CEO with revenue collections totalling more than £2.7 billion.
Read in depth interviews with key PPL players, reflecting on the most impactful, productive and revolutionary period in our proud history.
In his decade serving as both Chair and CEO, Fran Nevrkla OBE completely transformed the fortunes and standing of PPL, taking it to a modern, forward-looking entity with the backing of its members.
Given its role as a music licensing company, PPL has naturally made supporting organisations and good causes associated with music a top priority in its mission of giving something back.
1934: PPL is formed in May by the record companies EMI and Decca Records, following a ground-breaking court case against a coffee shop in Bristol.
The coffee shop, Stephen Carwardine & Co, had been keeping its customers entertained by playing records. EMI, then called The Gramophone Company, argued it was against the law to play the record in public without first receiving the permission of the copyright owners. The judge agreed, establishing this as an important legal principle.
EMI and Decca form Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) to carry out this licensing role and open the first office in London.
1950: The first vinyl singles and LPs are issued in Britain by Decca. In 1955, ‘Rock Around The Clock’ by Bill Haley (and his Comets) becomes Britain’s first million-selling record.
1956: The Copyright Act 1956 leads to PPL’s role expanding to cover the licensing of broadcasters that played recorded music.
The popularity and growth of radio in the 1960s and 70s led to burgeoning PPL revenues.
1963: Philips introduces the cassette tape format.
1967: The BBC launches Radio 1 and Radio 2, and WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) is established.
1973: PPL grants licences to the first UK commercial radio stations.
1983: Philips and Sony introduce the compact disc (CD).
1984: Video Performance Limited (VPL) forms to license the public
performance and broadcasting of music videos.
1988: The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act abolishes needletime restrictions following a report by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, strengthening PPL’s licensing position.
1990: The Broadcasting Act introduces a compulsory licence for radio play.
1992: International Sound Recording Code (ISRC) launches, with PPL appointed as sole agent to issue ISRCs in the UK.
1996: Performers given the right to receive ‘equitable remuneration’ where recordings of their performances were played in public or broadcast – leading to PPL paying them royalties directly for the first time.
2000: Fran Nevrkla appointed as first Chair and CEO of PPL.
2003: PPL issues its first internet radio licence (to AOL).
2006: Performer organisations PAMRA and AURA merge with PPL, leading to an annual meeting and dedicated board specifically for performers.
2008: Spotify launches, marking the start of a massive streaming market expansion.
2010: PPL now receives overseas royalties from 45 countries. PPL launches a new Repertoire Database, with strict data quality rules, to transform PPL’s IT
system.
2012: Peter Leathem OBE appointed CEO of PPL while Fran Nevrkla remains Chair.
2016: PPL plays a leading role in the launch of the Virtual Recordings Database (VRDB), a project run by SCAPR to improve the exchange of recording and performer data between CMOs.
2018: PPL PRS Ltd launches, the public performance joint venture with PRS for Music. The new joint licence, TheMusicLicence, brings an end to the need for customers to purchase separate PPL and PRS for Music licences from each individual organisation.
2023: UK licensing revenue tops £200 million for the first time.
2024: In its 90th year, PPL has over 140,000 members, registering over 45,000 recordings a week.
Each year, we announce the Most Played Tracks and Artists, showcasing the music that soundtracks our lives in a given period. We are able to calculate a most played artist or recording chart by analysing the music usage reported by our radio or TV licensees over a given time period.
In 2019, PPL named Snow Patrol’s ‘Chasing Cars’ as the most played track of the 21st century.
